The Children

The children of ChernobylThe children we bring to the UK are from The Republic of Belarus, particularly from the worst affected areas following the Chernobyl explosion in 1986. These children are in desperate need of healthcare, nourishment and love.

Most of the children come from single parent families, foster carers, and families with many children. All start the programme in desperate need, often with heart-breaking stories that have already shaped their young lives.

Life in BelarusThe children whom we aim to help often live in poverty, with little money for food, heating or essential medication. Their homes frequently lack the services that we take for granted such as running water, or even separate bedrooms for the children. It is not uncommon for them to routinely share a bed, or sometimes even just a couch, with several of their siblings. Much of what we wouldconsider to be the basics of life are simply beyond the reach of these children.

"Luba’s dream is to have her own doll.” commented her 10 year old big brother Slava.“ They have three dolls to share in her class at school, and sometimes she goes into the woods with her friends and they make dolls with sticks and moss... but it is not the same.”Luba is 7 years old from an isolated village in Belarus close to the Russian border.

How we hear about themThese children are usually brought to our attention by the Belarusian Health or Education authorities. We also find many deprived children through visiting children currently on the programme and meeting siblings, cousins and other children from the same villages and schools. Prior to joining the FOCC programme we meet the children and their family or guardians at their home and fully assess their circumstances to ensure that only the neediest of children are invited to the UK.

How we help themIn excess of 80,000 children have very little hope in life due to a disaster of someone else's making. Our aim is to relieve this suffering. Each year we organise and fund UK visits for hundreds of children like the ones described above; those with little hope of a happy, healthy future. We place them with kind host families who care for them and feed them nutritious food for a month, before sending them home with suitcases packed with vitamins, medication and food. Find out more here.